The Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) has partnered with Japan’s Government through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to launch a two-week Training of Trainers course aimed at enhancing meteorological education in the Pacific region. Titled “Training of Trainers on Skills and Competencies for Conducting Meteorological, Climate, and Hydrology Training in the Pacific,” the program brings together participants from various Pacific nations, including the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
The focus of the training is to improve the competencies of these participants in areas such as training design, adult learning, facilitation, and assessment. By adhering to the World Meteorological Organisation’s BIP-M and BIP-MT frameworks, the course aims to strengthen the capacity of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in the Pacific region, ensuring the delivery of high-quality training in meteorology, climate services, and hydrology. Additionally, it seeks to create a robust network of qualified trainers committed to ongoing educational initiatives throughout the area.
During the opening ceremony, Amit Singh, Acting Director of the Fiji Meteorological Service, highlighted the importance of this initiative for enhancing technical skills and fostering collaboration among Pacific nations. He acknowledged the longstanding partnership between Fiji Met and JICA that has existed since the late 1980s, which has played a significant role in improving the capabilities of National Meteorological Services and the reliability of weather forecasts and climate information throughout the Pacific.
“JICA’s support has been vital in building the capacity and skills of meteorological personnel across the Pacific. This Training of Trainers workshop is a key component of the ongoing Reinforcing Meteorological Training of FMS project,” stated Singh.
As a Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre and Tropical Cyclone Centre, the Fiji Meteorological Service plays a critical role in providing daily weather forecasts and enhancing the expertise of meteorological staff throughout the region. The FMS expressed appreciation to JICA for facilitating the workshop and to the Fiji National University for providing trainers and expertise to support regional capacity building efforts.
This initiative not only strengthens technical skills but also fosters a spirit of cooperation and knowledge-sharing throughout the Pacific, ensuring that the region is better equipped to handle weather and climate-related challenges in the future.